The distance between ancient Rome and ancient China was about 4,000 miles by land. It was a very dangerous trip because here were terrible deserts and high mountains on the way.
For a very long history, the ancient Romans did not know who was making this wonderful cloth called silk. The Romans first discovered pieces of silk in the goods they took from some of dead people they had conquered (征服). But those people did not know where the silk was made. They only traded for the silk.
The Romans tried to find more traders as they came into villages to trade silk for other goods. But the traders did not know who made the silk, either. In fact, the trading along the Silk Road was a relay (接力) system. One trader would travel for a while, stop and trade, and return home. The next trader would continue, stop and trade, and return home. And so it went, no trader made the whole trip because the trip was too dangerous. The Silk Road shows its trade value between ancient Rome and ancient China.
The Silk Road had a lot of value (价值). As the years went by along the Silk Road that is more valuable, there were even cities built on the oases (绿洲). It was never easy to travel by land from ancient China to ancient Rome. But it was worth it. Ancient Rome traded treasure mainly for ancient China’s silk and spices. In fact, more things traveled along the Silk Road than traders and goods. Ideas traveled along the Silk Road as well. The ideas changed the world.
22. Why was the distance between ancient Rome and ancient China a very dangerous trip according to the first paragraph?
A.Because the silk distance was too far. |
B.Because the silk distance was very secret. |
C.Because the silk makers wanted to make more money. |
D.Because there were terrible deserts and high mountains on the way. |
23. Why did no trader make the whole trip in Paragraph 3?
A.Because the trip was too long. |
B.Because the trip was too dangerous. |
C.Because the traders did not know who made the silk. |
D.Because the Silk Road couldn’t show its trade value. |
24. What did Ancient Rome trade treasure mainly trade for according to the last paragraph?
A.Ancient China’s silk and spices. | B.Ancient China’s culture. |
C.Ancient China’s thoughts. | D.Ancient China’s tea. |
25. What does the passage mainly tell us?
A.The discovery of ancient Rome. | B.The importance of the Silk Road. |
C.The history and value of the Silk Road. | D.The international trade in ancient times. |